1986 Plymouth Horizon problems

Common 1986 Plymouth Horizon problems

The 1986 Plymouth Horizon, a front-wheel-drive car related to the Dodge Omni, has been known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners of this car.

One of the most frequently reported issues is the starter wire melting from heat, which occurred at 170,000 miles in the case of one owner. This problem can cause significant inconvenience and may require a replacement of the starter wire or even the entire starter motor.

Another common issue is the alternator starting to go bad, which can lead to a decrease in the car's electrical system performance and may require a replacement of the alternator.

The windshield wiper motor is also known to have problems, with one owner reporting that it blew at 158,000 miles. This can affect the driver's visibility during rainy or snowy conditions and may require a replacement of the wiper motor.

Exhaust problems are also common, with one owner reporting that the exhaust fell off from rust and age at the time of purchase. This can lead to a decrease in the car's performance and fuel efficiency, as well as potential safety hazards from exhaust fumes entering the car.

Oil pan leaks are another issue that has been reported by owners of the 1986 Plymouth Horizon, which can lead to a decrease in the car's performance and may require a replacement of the oil pan or gasket.

The headliner is also known to have problems, with one owner reporting that it was starting to loosen. This can affect the car's appearance and may require a replacement of the headliner.

The front driver seat is also prone to breaking from the bolt braking off, which can affect the car's comfort and may require a replacement of the seat or bolt.

The clutch has been reported to need frequent replacement, with one owner reporting that it had been changed two times since they owned the car. This can lead to a significant cost for the owner and may require professional installation.

The engine of the 1986 Plymouth Horizon is known to have carburetor problems, with one owner reporting that the rubber spacer under the carb was falling apart and the aspirator tube was rotting out. This can affect the car's performance and fuel efficiency and may require a replacement of the carburetor or other engine components.

The interior of the car, particularly the SE models, is known to have issues with the high-back bucket seats in front, with one owner reporting that they were uncomfortable and never idled correctly. This can affect the car's comfort and may require a replacement of the seats or engine components.

Overall, the 1986 Plymouth Horizon has several common problems that can affect its performance, appearance, and safety. While some of these issues can be resolved with simple repairs or replacements, others may require more significant work and cost for the owner.

Who made the engine in a Plymouth Horizon?

Volkswagen

Their 1980 Horizon came from the early run of the Omni-Horizon twins, before Chrysler even had its own four-cylinder engine for it. As a result, Volkswagen provided the engine–Rabbit engines punched out to 1.7 liters–and four-speed transmissions.

What is the sister car of the Plymouth Horizon?

Dodge Omni

The Dodge Omni and the nearly identical badge engineered variant, the Plymouth Horizon, is a subcompact car manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Corporation for model years 1978-1990.

Was Plymouth owned by Ford?

Plymouth was a brand of automobiles produced by Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler. The brand was launched in 1928 to compete in what was then described as the "low-priced" market segment that was dominated by Chevrolet and Ford.

Were the Dodge Omni and the Plymouth Horizon the same car?

The Dodge Omni and the nearly identical badge engineered variant, the Plymouth Horizon, is a subcompact car manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Corporation for model years 1978-1990.

Who made the engine in a Plymouth Horizon?

Volkswagen

Their 1980 Horizon came from the early run of the Omni-Horizon twins, before Chrysler even had its own four-cylinder engine for it. As a result, Volkswagen provided the engine–Rabbit engines punched out to 1.7 liters–and four-speed transmissions.

What year did they stop making the Plymouth Horizon?

The Dodge Omni and the nearly identical badge engineered variant, the Plymouth Horizon, is a subcompact car manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Corporation for model years 1978-1990.

Was Plymouth made by Ford?

Plymouth was a brand of automobiles produced by Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler. The brand was launched in 1928 to compete in what was then described as the "low-priced" market segment that was dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. It became a high-volume seller for the automaker until the late 1990s.

Where were Plymouth cars made?

During the early days, the Plymouth plant was recognized as one of the world's most modern automobile facilities. The factory was in the Detroit area with 26 acres of manufacturing floor space. The advertising slogan at the time said, “You'll see Plymouths built from start to finish.”

1986 Plymouth Horizon car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Horizon problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Fuel system problems
• Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Plymouth Horizon vehicle components and the number of complaints received.